Florida Nursing Scandal: Fake Degrees

Scheme in Florida Gives Nurses Fake Degrees All Across the U.S.

The healthcare industry is not without hiccups and scandals. Recently, 25 people in Florida got charged with creating a scam to get nurses fake diplomas and find employment. The scam sold more than 7,600 fraudulent nursing degree diplomas from three Florida-based nursing schools.

What Was the Scheme?

Before a nursing student sits for the National Nursing Board Exam, they need a nursing degree diploma, obtained through many hours of classroom and clinical work. The fake nursing degree scam allowed people to purchase their degrees rather than work for them. They could then take the nursing board exam. If they passed the exam, they could find employment in several states across the U.S.

Who was Involved?

The Florida nursing scandal allowed people to find work as registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses. Some who purchased degrees were members of Florida’s Haitian American community, including people with legitimate LPN licenses who wanted to become registered nurses.

Between 2016 and 2021, students paid more than $114 million for fake degrees. Since then, roughly 2,400 of the 7,600 eventually passed their licensing exams, mainly in New York. This allowed them to find work in many states, including Florida. Many of the students who purchased fake degrees will likely lose their certification, but won’t be criminally charged, according to federal officials.

The Effects

This Florida nursing scandal affected several states across the U.S. “Not only is this a public safety concern, it also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete the demanding clinical and course work required to obtain their professional licenses and employment,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe. Fortunately, investigators have found that none of the nurses caused harm to any patients. The three schools involved: Siena College, Palm Beach School of Nursing, and Sacred Heart International Institute, got shut down.

Get Certified the Right Way with Ready to Pass!

Here at Ready to Pass, we will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to pass the NCLEX ® and become a certified nurse! In light of these scandals, the healthcare industry needs knowledgeable, certified nurses. Our unique approach to preparing for the NCLEX ® gives students skills to pass the test and succeed in the field.

Give us a call at (516) 408-3696 or fill out our contact form to start your NCLEX ® exam online training journey today!